1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Reclining chairs.

Posted , 13 users are following.

Carrie1974
Carrie1974

As I am about to go for my first hip replacement March 6th I have been looking for a recliner to buy. I was wondering if the power ones that bring the foot part up for you are a good idea or should I get the type that I control with the handle at the side?

Thanks,

Carrie

1 like, 40 replies

40 Replies

Next
  • denise79180
    denise79180 Carrie1974

    Posted

    I found it hard to operate a recliner. Plus they have to be the right height. Also hard to get out of while keeping the less than 90degree angle rule. You can perhaps get the electric version and get an OT to raise yr chair with the appropriate blocks. Really comfy once you're reclined tho.

    Haha. I needed help getting out of mine the first few weeks. My husband went to bed and forgot. Lol I had to phone him from my chair. !

    • Carrie1974
      Carrie1974 denise79180

      Posted

      Haha that's funny. Thanks Denise. What do you mean by an OT to raise the chair? Occupational therapist?

    • denise79180
      denise79180 Carrie1974

      Posted

      Yes. That's it. The chair needs to be a certain height so yr 90 degree angle rule is not gone over. Depends on yr own height.

  • t3chiman
    t3chiman Carrie1974

    Posted

    Carrie-

      Recliners can be a big help in the early post-op days. However, they do have their quirks and risks. For instance, the mechanical, lever-on-the-side, models are quite simple and reliable, but can be awkward for a smaller person to activate. And the lowering mechanism can require a fair amount of pressure from your legs, in order to get the footrest moving downward.

    Electric, motorized, recliners address the shortcomings of mechanical chairs. A simple button push, and your are on your way to a relaxed position (or an upright one, of course.). Better all around for a recent THR surgery patient. One risk factor: a power failure can leave you in an awkward position, perhaps for a longer time than is healthy. Best to keep a cell phone on your person (i.e not on the lamp table oh-so-close-but-unreachable when you are staring at the ceiling.).

    Certain powered chairs can boost you to a semi-standing position. These are just as comfy as classical recliners, with the added benefit of sliding you a bit forward so you don't have to use stomach and upper leg muscles to get out of the chair.

    Hope this helps.

    • Carrie1974
      Carrie1974 t3chiman

      Posted

      Thank-you Chipman. I'm going to go try some out at the Brick on Monday. I assumed the ones with the lever on the side wouldn't require you to use your legs so that's good to know. I was looking at the ones that mechanically raise the foot rest part, not the ones that raise you fully. Never considered what to do in a power outage though. That could be awkward...lol

  • hippy28
    hippy28 Carrie1974

    Posted

    Personally I wouldn't bother with the extra expense. I'm 7 weeks post op and have managed very well on my own settee. I had it raised to the correct height by the occupational health people and was shown how to get up correctly using my crutches for support. I also have a stool in front of the settee but to be honest I never used it.

    Good luck with your op.

    I hope its as successful as mine had been.

    • Carrie1974
      Carrie1974 hippy28

      Posted

      Thank-you hippy. Do you happen to know what the right height for the chair is by chance?
  • michael11283
    michael11283 Carrie1974

    Posted

    Carrie

    I bought an electric one on ebay for £60. It has a footrest. Bit short for me as I am 6ft5 but I love it. As do my grandsons.

    Mike

    • Carrie1974
      Carrie1974 michael11283

      Posted

      Thanks Mike. Did you buy the one that raises your whole body or just the footrest part?
    • michael11283
      michael11283 Carrie1974

      Posted

      Carrie

      My one raises the seat and practicality tips you out if you want. The back reclines and the footrest comes up. It also has massage and heat but I'm not wild about those features.

      My living room furniture doesn't have arms and I was ok when I had the hip done but i'm likely to be non weight bearing for a bit so I thought this was a good idea.

      Very comfortable

      Mike

    • Carrie1974
      Carrie1974 michael11283

      Posted

      Thanks Mike. I'll make sure to have a look at all the mechanical ones😊

  • judith12644
    judith12644 Carrie1974

    Posted

    Hi, I didn't bother with one. Like Hippy28 my sofa was raised to the correct height anyway, and when I wanted to put up my feet, I used a pouffe which was fine. Good luck with your op.

  • dorothy04749
    dorothy04749 Carrie1974

    Posted

    Hi Carrie 

    i used blankets rolled up for any dip at the back of my sofa and then piled on furniture lounger cushions till I had the right height.  Need a fairly firm sofa to do that though but really good cheap way of getting the height, comfort and flat level needed.

    Regards Dot

Back to top
Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.